Room Draw 2008

Important Dates

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WHAT IS ROOM DRAW?

Room Draw is the process by which students and their roommate(s) have the opportunity to select the room/suite they will live in for the upcoming academic year. Students will receive a random, computer-generated priority number. This number determines the order in which students select rooms within their group. These priority numbers will also determine the order in which housing assignments are made for the spring term for students returning from a study abroad program.
Students in Group 1 have the lowest (meaning best) numbers followed by Group 2 then Group 3.

Room Draw occurs over the course of one week. Which day you attend is determined by your preference and eligibility. At Single/Double Room Draw, students line up by priority number to select their room(s) for the upcoming academic year.

During double room draw, rooms are drawn based on one priority number. The person with the lowest (meaning best) number may pull in a roommate to fill the room chosen. For example, two students in Group 2 who want to be roommates have numbers 259 and 176. During Room Draw the student with number 176 (the better number) will use his/her better number to draw in his/her intended roommate who has number 259. Together they will select their room when number 176 is called.

Student Affairs reserves the right to pause Room Draw at any time to review room availability and/or procedures.

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR ROOM DRAW?

Currently enrolled students planning to attend Pitzer College the following academic term are eligible to participate in Room Draw. (Excluding New Resources students and students currently on a Leave of Absence.) *First Year students who have not met with Brendan Thyne, Pitzer’s Substance Abuse Counselor, will NOT be able to participate in room draw and will automatically be put on a wait list. The deadline to meet with Brendan is Friday, March 24, 2008. Brendan may be contacted at x77152 or email him at brendan_thyne@pitzer.edu.

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PRIORITY NUMBERS

Priority numbers will be assigned based on the number of credits recorded in the Registrar’s Office. A student’s group number is determined on the following basis: students who have successfully completed eight courses are classified as a sophomore; sixteen courses, a junior; twenty-four courses, a senior. Priority numbers will be assigned on Friday, February 29th. If you have any outstanding credit (AP, IB, or transfer credit), please make sure that the proper paper work is submitted to the Registrar’s office as soon as possible.

Credit Hours and Admission Year
Group 1 ( ≤ 23 courses) 2005-2006 or previous year
Group 2 ( ≤ 16 courses) 2006-2007
Group 3 ( ≤ 8 courses) 2007-2008

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NEW FOR 2008-2009 ROOM DRAW

Gender-neutral housing options will be available campus wide starting Fall of 2008. Gender-neutral housing provides a living environment where student housing is not restricted to traditional limitations imposed by gender and/or sex definitions. This option is ideal for students whose gender expression, gender identity and/or biological sex varies from the standard paradigm and for students who believe that their gender and/or biological sex should not be limiting factors in roommate decisions. No student will be restricted by traditional limitations of gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, or other identities pertaining thereto. All students will have the option to participate in, or opt out of, gender-neutral housing simply by indicating your preferences on the Roommate Preference Form described below.

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ROOMATE PREFERENCE FORM

To participate in Room Draw, all students will need to complete the Roommate Preference Form. This form helps Residence Life staff make an informed decision in placing you with a new roommate in the event that your selected roommate takes a Leave of Absence or does not return to Pitzer College.

** We will make a sincere effort to accommodate all requests; however, spaces are limited.

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SUBSTANCE FREE HOUSING ROOM DRAW

Substance free housing is available in Mead and Holden Residence Halls.

Students living in substance free housing must sign a contract agreeing to live in a community that promotes the choice to live in an environment prohibiting the possession and/or consumption of alcohol. Students cannot participate in these activities within the tower/corridor and/or return to their tower/corridor under the influence.
Students who currently live in substance free housing will choose rooms based on priority assignment (meaning how long the student has lived in the substance free tower/corridor), keeping in mind that only seniors and juniors can choose single rooms. All other housing assignments will be based on priority numbers.

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FRIENDSHIP CLUSTER ROOM DRAW

Approved friendship clusters must be present at their designated appointment time. All students within the cluster must be present. If a student cannot be present, they must designate a proxy (see page 10 for proxy information). If they fail to do so, the entire friendship cluster will not be permitted to draw in and each student will have to select a room under their own individual numbers. Friendship clusters are not available in Atherton, Pitzer, and Sanborn Halls for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Friendship clusters that are late or miss their appointment time are disqualified as an approved friendship cluster.

Groups must choose a cluster of rooms that are connected (e.g. within a suite), as the organizing principle for friendship clusters is contiguous space. Consistent with building design, contiguous space is defined in the following way: two double rooms in Holden that share an adjoining bathroom, and a whole suite in Mead, four single and two double rooms.

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SINGLE & DOUBLE ROOM DRAW

Single room draw is designated for Juniors and Seniors as recorded by the Registrar’s Office. Students may not pull in another student into an adjoining single. This can only be done via Friendship Cluster. Sophomores are not eligible for single rooms with the exception of Mentors living in first-year residence hall singles.

Students drawing into a double room must have a roommate. The student with the best, meaning lowest, priority number draws the room and then pulls in her/his roommate. Both students must be present. Students unable to attend must designate a proxy (see page 10 for proxy information).
When selecting a room, students are called by priority number is ascending order, beginning with the lowest number. It is advisable to arrive at the beginning of the category in which they intend to draw. If students are late their number may be passed over. Although students may draw into a room within single and double room draw after their number is called, we will not pause Room Draw if they fail to arrive on time.

When a student’s priority number is called, they should check in at the first station and present their student ID. If they are drawing into a double room, the roommate should also check in. Students have 5 minutes to select a room before the next number is called.

There will be floor charts of available rooms for Atherton, Holden, Pitzer, Sanborn, and Mead Halls in the room selection area.

HELPFUL HINTS

Have several room choices prior to the time you select your room. Floor charts will also be located outside of Single/Double Room Draw and will be updated as rooms are selected.

When choosing a room, remember to consider factors like the personality of a living area, or if a room is near a noisy part of campus.
Have your roommate selected prior to Room Draw.

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ROOM DRAW SCHEDULES

Room draw sessions are held in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), Scott Hall, Room 130 and the Multi Purpose Rooms 204 & 205 in the Gold Student Center.
• Substance Free Room Draw Monday, April 14, 6 pm (OSA)
• Friendship Cluster Room Draw Tuesday, April 15 by appointment (OSA)
• Single Room Draw Friday, April 18, 2:30-3:15 pm (MPR/GSC)
• Double Room Draw Friday, April 18, 3:20-5:00 pm (MPR/GSC)

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ROOM DRAW AGREEMENTS & APPLICATIONS

All forms need to be turned into the Office of Student Affairs. Housing agreements and applications can be found here as well as in the Office of Student Affairs.
Residence Hall Agreements: All students participating in Room Draw (Substance Free Housing, Thematic Hall/Corridors, Friendship Clusters, or Single/Double Room Draw) are required to submit a Residence Hall Agreement and Roommate Preference Card

Seniors who enter into a residency agreement and participate in the Room Draw process waive their right to automatic off campus status based on class rank. Off campus status will be granted only if there is not adequate space in the residence halls.

Off Campus Applications: All applications are subject to approval based on space availability in the residence halls. Students meeting one of the criteria below are automatically approved. Application is still required.

She or he is:
(a) A Senior
(b) Married or with children
(c) 24 years of age or older
(d) Living with family within a 15 mile radius of the campus.

If an off campus application is approved, the student forfeits the opportunity to participate in the Room Draw process. Students will be notified of their application status via Pitzer email or campus box prior to Room Draw.

Off campus status is granted for one academic year. Students currently living off campus must reapply for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Students whose application for off campus status has been approved do not need to submit a Residence Hall Agreement.

Off Board Applications: All students who live in on campus housing are required to be on the 16 or 12 meal plan unless they reside in Z Tower of Mead Hall, which is equipped with a kitchenette, or if the student has a specific medical condition that precludes themfrom being on a board plan.

Students applying for off board status due to a medical condition must provide documentation from their personal physician stating why they are unable to be on the meal plan and a list of foods that they cannot eat. An appointment must then be scheduled with the Director of Dining Services at ext. 72788, who will evaluate if Dining Services can formulate a meal plan that meets the student’s dietary needs. If they are unable to meet the student’s dietary needs, the Director will sign the off board application. The student must then submit the application to the Housing Coordinator.

All students are financially responsible for board plan costs until notified in writing that there has been a change of status.

Students that have drawn into Z Tower during Room Draw can apply for off board status or the 5 meal plan by Friday, May 16th.

Friendship Cluster Applications: Friendship clusters are intended to allow students to share space with their friends. They are predicated on contiguous space, meaning students must select rooms that are connected. All applications must meet the following guidelines:

• Friendship cluster applicants have their combined priority numbers averaged. The averaged number will determine their appointment placement for friendship cluster room draw. An appointment time does not guarantee a friendship cluster housing assignment. Assignments are based on space availability.
• Each application must designate a contact person or coordinator. This person is responsible for communicating the application status and possible appointment time to the members of the proposed friendship cluster.
• There cannot be all sophomore suites in Mead Hall, as sophomores are not eligible for the single rooms within the suites.
• Students are only allowed to include their name on one friendship cluster application.
• All students must have completed and turned in a residence hall agreement by the deadline for the application to be considered.
• Students studying abroad during the fall semester are not eligible for friendship clusters during Room Draw.
• Friendship cluster coordinators will be notified of application status and/or appointment time via Pitzer email.

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DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS & AGREEMENTS

Friday, March 7th by 5pm
• Residence Hall Agreements
• Off Campus Application
• Off Board Application

Thursday, March 27th by 5pm
• Friendship Cluster Application

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ROOM DRAW INFORMATION SESSIONS

All students are encouraged to attend one of the Room Draw Information Sessions to get accurate information. You will find that no question is too silly or basic. We are here to help!

• Tuesday, February 26h East Sanborn Living Room, 7 pm
• Wednesday, February 27th East Sanborn Living Room, 7 pm
• Wednesday, March 26th East Sanborn Living Room, 7 pm

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ROOM DRAW INFORMATION TABLE

The Housing Coordinator will be available to answer room draw questions in the dining hall during lunch on the following days:

• Tuesday, March 4 McConnell Dining Hall, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Wednesday, March 5 McConnell Dining Hall, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Thursday, March 6 McConnell Dining Hall, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

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NEED A ROOMMATE?

Students drawing into a double room must have a roommate. You will be able to connect with other students looking for a roommate using Sakai. Join the Pitzer College Roommate Search forum to find your future roommate! All you have to do is submit a simple profile to request permission to join and you will be able to access discussions, post replies, and respond to your future roommate. This site is intended for Pitzer students only and will be fully monitored by the Residence Life Staff. To log on to Sakai, go to https://sakai.claremont.edu and enter your network user name and password (don’t forget to select Pitzer for your school). If you have trouble logging on, call the Information Technology Help Desk at x73065.

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PROXY SELECTION

If you cannot attend Room Draw, either due to a schedule conflict, or because you are studying abroad in the spring, you must select someone to choose a room for you during Room Draw (substance free, friendship cluster, single or double room draw). The person who selects a room for you is called a “proxy”.
If you are a proxy for a student not studying abroad: During Room Draw you must have a completed proxy form (available in Student Affairs) and your student ID. The form states that you are acting as a proxy for someone unable to attend Room Draw and they have chosen you to select a room on their behalf.

If you are a proxy for someone who is studying abroad: You will need to attend room draw in their place. Your name should be indicated on the Study Abroad Housing Form that was turned in by the student abroad. You will not be required to provide a proxy form, but you will need your student ID. A list of identified proxies for study abroad students will be available at the check in area for our reference.
Student Affairs takes no responsibility if your proxy either fails to attend Room Draw or makes an unsatisfactory room selection on your behalf.

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WAIT LIST

Students who are unable to select a room during Room Draw due to a shortage of rooms or not having a roommate will be placed on a wait list. Wait listed students are assigned housing as it becomes available throughout the summer. In the past we have been able to offer housing to the majority of the wait listed students by the time fall semester starts.

If you have selected a double room, but would prefer a single room, you may also place yourself on the wait list indicating a preference for a single room.

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STUDENTS GOING ABROAD

All students participating in a study abroad program and are planning to return to Pitzer must complete a Study Abroad Housing Form, included in the Study Abroad application packet. If you fail to submit the Study Abroad Housing Form, the Housing Office is not required to offer you accommodations.

Students abroad fall semester: The Study Abroad Housing Form should include your top three housing preferences. Housing assignments for the spring semester will be based on housing preferences listed, priority number, and space availability. Assignments are made after the residence halls close for winter break. Student housing notifications are sent via Pitzer email by the end of December.

Students abroad spring semester: The Study Abroad Housing Form should indicate the name of your proxy. The proxy must be a Pitzer student attending spring semester. This person will select a room for you during spring Room Draw.
Students abroad for a full year: The Study Abroad Housing Form should indicate the name of your proxy. This person will select a room for you during spring Room Draw.

Seniors returning from study abroad programs are not required to live on campus. However, the Housing Office does need to know a student’s housing intent when they return from abroad. If students intend on living off campus please indicate this on the Study Abroad Housing Form. This will take the place of an off campus application.

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THEMATIC LIVING AREAS

The Housing Office organizes the Substance Free Living areas. Residence Life is responsible for approving student organized thematic charters with recommendations from Student Senate. The student organized thematic living areas are Holden’s Ultimate Study Hall (H.U.S.H.) and the Involvement Tower in Mead Hall.

All current student organized thematic halls who wish to be considered for the 2008-2009 academic year must reapply. If approved, coordinators for each student organized thematic living area must submit a roster of students, listing which room each student is to be placed.

Students must select rooms by seniority (i.e. how long the student has lived on that themed hall, as well as by priority number), keeping in mind that sophomores will not be placed in single rooms. Students living in thematic halls/towers will not be permitted to utilize the features of Friendship Clusters option.

All students must have completed and turned in their Residence Hall Agreement in order to retain the room they selected during their Thematic Hall Draw.

Coordinators will be notified if any student has failed to turn in their agreement. It is the responsibility of the coordinator to contact students who have not returned their Residence Hall Agreements.

Due to space limitations, we regret that no new thematic corridor/tower applications will be accepted for the 2008 – 2009 academic year.

DEADLINES FOR STUDENT ORGANIZED THEMATIC HALLS
Monday, February 11th by 5pm
• Thematic Hall Reapplications Due

Monday, March 3rd by 5pm Hall
• Rosters Due

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COLLEGE HOUSING

Pitzer College offers housing in five residence halls. All residence halls are non-smoking buildings.

ATHERTON HALL is a four story building adjacent to the Gold Student Center. Atherton will house 62 students. Rooms are double occupancy with two rooms sharing an adjoining vanity, bathroom and shower. Common areas include a living room, six study rooms, and laundry facilities. The basement level of Atherton Hall is the home of the mailroom, a music practice room, and an art studio with classroom and gallery space. Ten singles and eight double rooms will be available for Room Draw.

HOLDEN HALL is a two story building housing 180 students in four wings. Rooms are double occupancy, with two rooms sharing an adjoining bathroom and shower. Common areas include a living room, television lounge, two study rooms, a kitchen, a recreational room with a television and pool table, and laundry facilities.
     Holden Hall houses Substance Free Living and Holden’s Ultimate Study Hall (H.U.S.H.). H.U.S.H. is a thematic corridor focused around consideration and friendship while providing a community for students who want a 24-hour quiet policy for a better study atmosphere. Residents also benefit from collaborative group study sessions.

MEAD HALL is a three story, six-tower complex which houses 225 students. Suites share a common living room with four people on each side for a total of eight people in a suite. Common areas include a community kitchen, laundry facilities and a television lounge. Mead is home to Career Services, Center for Asian Pacific American Students (CAPAS), The Rabbit Hole (a confidential and respectful substance abuse education and outreach program), and the Marquis Library.
Mead Hall offers a Substance Free Tower and a Community Involvement Tower that exemplifies one of the College’s educational objectives; awareness of the social and ethical implications of action. Residence life in the Involvement Tower is generally self-governed within the parameters of Pitzer’s residential life policies. Students are required to attend Tower meetings and participate in Pitzer’s community or the community at large.

PITZER HALL is a four story building southeast of the Gold Student Center. Pitzer houses 78 students. Rooms are double occupancy, with two rooms sharing an adjoining vanity, bathroom and shower. Common areas include a living room, eight study rooms, and laundry facilities. The basement level of Pitzer Hall is the home of the Admissions Office.

SANBORN HALL is a three story building east of the Gold Student Center. Sanborn will house 178 students. Rooms are double occupancy with two rooms sharing an adjoining vanity, bathroom and shower. Common areas include a living room, nine study rooms, laundry facilities and a kitchen. One single in North Sanborn and three singles in East Sanborn will be available for Room Draw.

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QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions regarding Room Draw, please feel free to contact the Housing Coordinator, Tressi Mehana Chun, at 909-607-3132 or the Associate Dean of Students, Moya Carter at 909-607-4176. You may also email housing@pitzer.edu. As always, any member of the Residence Life Staff will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Housing Forms

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